6th Edition of START-EAT-UP in Porto: Recruitment.

The challenges of recruitment and best practices for building teams for business success: What the 6th edition of START-EAT-UP brought.

The START-EAT-UP movement returned with its 6th edition, this time with the theme "Recruitment and Team Building". After Lisbon, in July, put data at the center of the conversation, the focus shifted to what is probably the sector's greatest asset and also its biggest headache: people.

The event took place at the Porto School of Hospitality and Tourism, the perfect setting for such an urgent reflection. In addition to bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs, and partners from the sector, it was also a unique opportunity for the school's students to hear about real-life experiences and understand how to build a solid career in restaurants in practice.

The Challenge of Recruiting and Retaining Talent.

Right from the introduction, the message was clear: people are at the heart of the business. And while recruiting remains a huge challenge, retaining talent is even more crucial for the sustainability of any business.

Frederico Azevedo, from the Rector's Office Group, shared how, even with different concepts within the group, difficulties in hiring and retaining staff persist, but also how some strategies have already made it possible to overcome these barriers.

Marta Azevedo, from McDonald's, brought the perspective of a large multinational company, highlighting the brand's efforts to attract young talent for their first job and the importance of working on the company's image as an employer. As you mentioned, you no longer see McDonald's as a last resort job, but rather as a gateway to a promising career.

Expectations, reality, and the role of education.

Another key point was the alignment of expectations. João Eduardo, pedagogical director at EPHTL, highlighted the essential role of schools in preparing students for the realities of the profession. Passion for the field needs to be encouraged, but also protected through honest contact with the demands of daily work.

 In this context, Andreia Teixeira, from Recheio, presented the KITCHERS project, which focuses precisely on the practical training of future professionals, helping them enter the market with more preparation, confidence, and motivation.

The contribution of technology.

Technology also featured in the roundtable discussion. Mariana Dionisio, from merytu, shared the perspective of someone who listens to thousands of professionals daily through the app. She spoke about how new digital platforms allow for faster hiring, increased transparency, and even adjustments to fixed structures, hiring additional staff when needed.

This more flexible model can be an opportunity for businesses that want to optimize costs without sacrificing quality. However, it has also become clear that retention remains one of the major question marks, and that technology must go hand in hand with valuing people.

THE FINAL MESSAGE: FROM WORDS TO ACTION.

As the conversation flowed, one thing became clear: it's not enough to address the problems, you need to act.

Each speaker shared practices and insights that can be applied immediately, whether through valuing teams, clearer communication, the intelligent use of technology, or the creation of partnerships between restaurants, schools, and suppliers.

The closing sent a strong message: recruiting is expensive, but recruiting the right person can change the course of a business.

 

A movement that is taking root.

Once again, START-EAT-UP proved that it is more than just an event; it's a movement of sharing and collective building. In Porto, in addition to inspiring entrepreneurs and professionals, it also brought students from the Porto School of Hospitality and Tourism closer to the reality of the sector, showing them that the challenges are great, but so are the opportunities.

With the support of partners such as Turismo de Portugal, NEST, Unicorn Factory, AHRESP, Recheio, ADECI, Priceless, storesace and DIG-IN, this edition showed that together we can create solutions that strengthen the future of the restaurant industry.

AND NOW?

START-EAT-UP is already preparing for its next edition and promises to continue launching provocative and inspiring themes to transform the sector.

If you believe that the future of your business begins with people, this movement is for you.

Stay tuned for upcoming editions and join the community.

Because the restoration revolution is happening now, and it can start with your team.